Hagar

Abram’s wife, Sarai, had an Egyptian slave named Hagar. Hagar likely became their slave while they were living in Egypt, before God instructed them to leave and go to Canaan. When Sarai became convinced she would never have children, she told Abram to have a child with Hagar, so that Sarai could have offspring through her. In that cultural context, it was common for a man to father a child with his slave if his wife was unable to conceive. The child was considered the father’s property and, in some cases, could become his heir. Since Hagar was bound to Abram for life, she had no choice in the matter.

So Sarai gave Hagar to Abram as his wife. Initially, when Sarai suggested that Abram father a child through Hagar, the two women may have had a cordial relationship. But that changed once the union was consummated. When Hagar became pregnant, she became belligerent toward Sarai, and they began to despise each other. Sarai complained to Abram that Hagar was mistreating her. Abram refused to get involved in the women’s conflict, so Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that Hagar ran away.

Alone in the wilderness, an angel spoke to Hagar. She explained that she was running away from Sarai. The angel told her to return to Abram and Sarai, for she was pregnant. He also instructed her to name her son Ishmael, and foretold that he would be a wild man, at odds with others, yet would become the leader of a nation. Hagar returned, and Ishmael was born when Abram was 86 years old.

After Ishmael’s birth, God made a covenant with Abram that he would become the father of many nations. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah. God also promised Sarah a son, and although she doubted, she gave birth to Isaac. Isaac and Ishmael grew up as Abraham’s sons. But when Sarah saw Ishmael taunting Isaac on the day of Isaac’s weaning, she demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. Though this distressed Abraham, God told him to do as Sarah said, because God would also make a nation of Ishmael’s descendants.

Hagar and Ishmael were banished into the wilderness. When the water and supplies Abraham had given them ran out, both cried out in despair. But God heard their cries, and when Hagar opened her eyes, she saw a well that God provided, from which they could drink.

God protected Ishmael, who grew up to become a skilled archer. Hagar later found an Egyptian wife for him.